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Bears vs Bengals game
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Chicago Bears face Cincinnati Bengals in NFL preseason Week 2 at Paycor Stadium, 7 p.m. ET Saturday. Backup-heavy Bengals rest starters, making Bears 1.5-point road favorites.
Background
The Bears and Bengals are playing their second preseason game of the 2026 NFL exhibition slate. The Bears won their opener 34-10 over the Browns, while the Bengals beat Detroit 16-14. Both teams are using this game to evaluate depth players and finalize roster decisions before the Aug. 30 cut deadline.
How it unfolded
- Aug 18, 2026Bears beat Browns 34-10 in preseason opener.
- Aug 20, 2026Bears and Bengals hold joint practice in Cincinnati.
- Aug 22, 2026Bears face Bengals at Paycor Stadium at 7 p.m. ET; Bengals rest key players, Bears are 1.5-point road favorites.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Bears are favored by 1.5 points due to Bengals resting starters, with Ben Johnson projected to notch another preseason win.
- Bears
- Bears focus on position battles and evaluating depth players like RB Brittain Brown ahead of roster cuts.
- Bengals
- Bengals look to build on first preseason win, with backups like WR Dohnte Meyers and TE Jack Endries seeking to impress.
Still unverified
Tyson Bagent's hamstring injury status is uncertain; Case Keenum likely starts at QB for Bears.